Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Olivia Sklenka
Lack of urgency slows Senate progress Original
JEFFERSON CITY — With three days remaining in the Missouri General Assembly's 2023 session, many Republican priorities have yet to get to the floor for final action. The House on Tuesday passed a compromise bill changing the process for amending the state constitution, but bills addressing other issues such as banning gender-affirming care for minors, banning foreign ownership of farmland, legalizing sports betting and allowing open enrollment in public schools have yet to be addressed.
DEI debate stalls Senate appropriations work Original
JEFFERSON CITY — Work on annual appropriations bills in the Senate ground to a halt Tuesday over the question of a ban on DEI initiatives. The House approved language banning diversity, equity and inclusion requirements by state agencies in the appropriations bills it approved. That language was stripped out of the bills by the Senate Appropriations Committee last week with a decision that the language was not proper in an appropriations bill. But as Appropriations Chair Sen.
Tensions rise at Missouri Senate hearing over proposed Kansas City landfill
Current law allows municipalities within a half-mile to object to a landfill permit being approved by the Department of Natural Resources. The proposed legislation discussed during Tuesday's hearing would extend that boundary to a full-mile. The bills grew out of grassroots efforts from residents of Raymore to block a proposed landfill in Jackson County near Kansas City.
Tensions rise at Missouri Senate hearing over proposed Kansas City landfill Original
Current law allows municipalities within a half-mile to object to a landfill permit being approved by the Department of Natural Resources. The proposed legislation discussed during Tuesday’s hearing would extend that boundary to a full-mile. The bills grew out of grassroots efforts from residents of Raymore to block a proposed landfill in Jackson County near Kansas City.
Tensions rise at Senate hearing over proposed Kansas City landfill
JEFFERSON CITY — Discussion of proposed legislation combating the prospect of a landfill drew over 60 people to the Capitol to vocalize their support of several bills establishing stricter restrictions regarding solid waste disposal permits. Bold, black letters spelling out “kill the fill” strongly contrasted against the bright, white shirts of several community members filling seats in the Senate hearing room waiting for their chance to voice their support of the bills.
Diaper debate reveals irreconcilable opinions Original
JEFFERSON CITY — A heated debate over diapers arose on the Senate floor Tuesday during consideration of a bill providing a state tax credit for child care payments. "This bill, Senate Bill 184, authorizes a sales tax exemption for the purpose of diapers," said Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Clay. "It includes bill 509, which authorizes tax credits for child care." One in three U.S. families struggles to provide clean diapers for their babies, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.
Budget meeting has Democrats up in arms Original
JEFFERSON CITY — Discussion of the 2024 budget had Democrats of the House Budget Committee vehemently objecting Tuesday afternoon during a discussion that stretched for over three hours. Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, took to Twitter mid-meeting to share his frustrations over funding, and the lack thereof, highlighted in House Bill 2 for education purposes.
Missouri News Network
Senate Bill 255 creates a fund parents can use to finance sending their children to a private school. It is sponsored by Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville. Senate Bill 304 would allow charter schools to operate in charter counties and municipalities of at least 30,000 people. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring. Senate Bill 360 would remove a cap on the cumulative tax credit amounts granted by the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program. This is sponsored by Sen.
MPA Capitol Report
Thursday Osage casino amendment on the table in House committee BY EMMET JAMIESON missouri news network JEFFERSON CITY — A House committee considered a bill Wednesday evening that would put a constitutional amendment before voters to expand casino gambling. House Joint Resolution 23 would put a measure on the ballot that, if passed, would allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to grant a license for a casino on the Osage River. Missouri has 13 casinos on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
Transgender bill fills Senate session with talk - no action
JEFFERSON CITY — State Democrats tied up the Senate for over five hours Tuesday afternoon, delaying action on bills restricting transgender youth rights. Bill sponsor Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, began discussing gender-affirming care — known as the SAFE Act — and his desire to protect minors from what he refers to as mutilation. The bill would limit transgender youth's access to gender-affirming care and participation in sports matching their gender identity.
Missouri House committee passes postpartum extension without anti-abortion amendment
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The expansion of Medicaid benefits for postpartum women was unanimously approved by a House committee Tuesday afternoon. Current law limits Medicaid benefits for postpartum women to 60 days after pregnancy ends. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bishop Davidson, R-Republic, would extend the timeline of full Medicaid benefits to one year following the end of pregnancy. State Rep.
Missouri House committee passes postpartum extension without anti-abortion amendment
“I just want to genuinely thank the committee and the chair for hearing these bills and for giving these bills attention and for making sure we get these (bills) out of committee cleanly,” Aune said. “I genuinely feel that women and mothers across the state are going to benefit greatly from this,” she said. The bill has an emergency clause, which if approved, would allow the benefits to take effect as soon as the governor signs the bill. Gov.
Unanimous vote moves bill extending postpartum Medicaid benefits to House floor Original
JEFFERSON CITY — The expansion of Medicaid benefits for postpartum women was unanimously approved by a House committee Tuesday afternoon. Current law limits Medicaid benefits for postpartum women to 60 days after pregnancy ends. House Bill 354, sponsored by Rep. Bishop Davidson, R-Republic, would extend the timeline of full Medicaid benefits to one year following the end of pregnancy. Minority Whip Rep.
Another tax relief effort has seniors questioning if help is ever coming Original
JEFFERSON CITY — “We need help.” That statement Tuesday by David Lewis, a member of Missouri’s senior community, echoes the sentiment of many seniors across the state who have driven to the state Capitol for bills in favor of tax relief for seniors. Lewis' comment came during a House committee hearing on House Joint Resolution 44 which aims to provide what he describes as “much-needed” tax relief to the seniors of Missouri.
House resolution aims to provide tax relief to seniors
You have 4 free items remaining before a subscription is required. Subscribe now! | Log in OLIVIA SKLENKA, Missouri News Network Posted 2/20/23 JEFFERSON CITY — A resolution that would freeze assessed valuation increases for eligible senior citizens was met with resounding public support in a House hearing Tuesday. Proposed by Rep. … This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website.
House resolution aims to provide tax relief to seniors
BY OLIVIA SKLENKA Missouri News Network JEFFERSON CITY — A resolution that would freeze assessed valuation increases for eligible senior citizens was met with resounding public support in a House hearing Tuesday. Proposed by Rep. Ben Keathley, R-Chesterfield, the resolution heard by the Special Committee on Tax Reform aims to provide tax relief for Missouri’s seniors. This was a change welcomed by six members of the public who spoke in favor of HJR 45, while none spoke against the resolution.
MO House resolution aims to give tax relief to seniors Original
JEFFERSON CITY — A resolution that would freeze assessed valuation increases for eligible senior citizens was met with resounding public support in a House hearing Tuesday. Proposed by Rep. Ben Keathley, R-Chesterfield, the resolution heard by the Special Committee on Tax Reform aims to provide tax relief for Missouri’s seniors. This was a change welcomed by six members of the public who spoke in favor of HJR 45, while none spoke against the resolution.
Bills hindering LGBTQ+ rights has a community ready for war
JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's 102nd General Assembly has been in session all of 34 days, but members of the LGBTQ+ community gathered at the Capitol Tuesday to say they think the focus of this legislature has become clear: creating bills hindering their community.
Bills hindering LGBTQ+ rights has a community ready for war Original
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri’s 102nd General Assembly has been in session all of 34 days, but members of the LGBTQ+ community gathered at the Capitol Tuesday to say they think the focus of this legislature has become clear: creating bills hindering their community. In those 34 days, 27 restrictive bills have been proposed in both the House and the Senate.
House bill aims to streamline physician care across state border Original
JEFFERSON CITY — A House bill advocating for an interstate compact allowing physicians to practice in multiple states was met with a great deal of support Tuesday afternoon. HB 348 would establish Missouri as a member of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. The compact is an agreement that allows states to work together, significantly streamlining the licensing process for physicians who want to practice in multiple states, according to the bills sponsor and committee Chairman Rep.
House resolutions advocate for strict initiative requirements Original
JEFFERSON CITY — Resolutions that would further limit access to the ballot for initiatives and constitutional amendments were discussed for more than four hours in a House hearing Tuesday. The first resolutions heard by the House Committee of Elections and Elected Officials focused on raising the requirements for passing initiative petitions. Rep.
Bill proposed to hold the line on personal property tax increases
BY OLIVIA SKLENKA AND CLAYTON VICKERS MISSOURI NEWS NETWORK JEFFERSON CITY — A bill that would hold the line on personal property tax increases prompted strong comments from backers and opponents at a Senate hearing Tuesday. “All Senate Bill 8 is doing is saying ‘if and when real estate taxes, real estate tax revenues increase, we will ratchet down personal property assessment rate,” bill sponsor Sen. Bill Eigel, R-St. Charles, told the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tax Policy.
Bill proposed to hold the line on personal property tax increases Original
JEFFERSON CITY — A bill seeking to hold the line on personal property tax increases prompted strong comments from backers and opponents at a Senate hearing Tuesday. “All Senate Bill 8 is doing is saying ‘if and when real estate taxes, real estate tax revenues increase, we will ratchet down personal property assessment rate,” bill sponsor Sen. Bill Eigel, R-St. Charles, told the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tax Policy.
Repairs planned for parts of East Walnut after partial collapse of Guitar Building
A portion of E. Walnut Street will remain closed until Tuesday after non-structural parts of the Guitar Building collapsed Thursday morning. Sydney Olsen, public information officer for the city of Columbia, said she anticipates closures will be removed after repairs are made. The closure has halted the operations of several businesses that work out of the building, Olsen said.
Columbia residents celebrate Veterans Day
Veterans Day was marked across the city Friday at a number of memorial celebrations that honored U.S. military service.
Library responds to proposed rule about access to 'inappropriate materials'
The Daniel Boone Regional Library plans to respond to a proposed rule that will limit what state-funded libraries can provide to minors. This regulation, proposed by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, would prevent state funds from being spent on the acquisition of materials provided in libraries that are deemed inappropriate for children.
'Authentic, eager and respectful': Columbia's Ray Beck celebrates his 90th birthday
Ray Beck celebrated his 90th birthday Sunday, and exactly half of his long life was spent working as a leader for the city of Columbia. Beck spent 45 years working for municipal government, 24 of them as director of the Public Works Department and 21 as city manager during a period of unprecedented growth. His friends and family gathered Sunday at Stephens Lake Park to celebrate the beginning of his ninth decade, albeit a few days early.
Mizzou Academy, DESE partner on $7.5M project to improve inclusivity in classrooms
Mizzou Academy is spearheading a $7.5 million grant project aimed at increasing inclusivity within classrooms and child care programs. Mizzou Academy, an online K-12 school system through the MU College of Education and Human Development, is partnering with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to restructure existing DESE training by creating 30 new courses. The new courses are expected to be finalized by July.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Olivia
Contact Olivia, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack